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The caretaker Minister of Energy Andrey Zhivkov
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The caretaker Minister of Energy Andrey Zhivkov introduced his team and his deputies, after which he announced the priorities of his team. He also presented the conclusions after reviewing the financial and economic condition of state-owned companies in the energy sector.
“The companies in the energy sector are united under the auspices of the Bulgarian Energy Holding. The structure was created with the idea of having access to attractive funding, using them to become a regional player. Similar projects in other countries have worked, and companies there have really become regional players. In our country, the company really has access to attractive financing, but instead of using it for development, the holding uses it to solve current problems, “said Zhivkov at the Ministry of Energy.
According to him, BEH, with the long-term obligations it undertakes, solves short-term problems, which is a classic example of a path to a debt spiral.
As an example of BEH’s liabilities, Zhivkov pointed to the National Electricity Company, which currently has over BGN 2 billion in liabilities that are not serviced regularly, as well as the Maritza-East 2 TPP, which has been in critical condition in recent years.
“BEH is indebted to solve the short-term problems of TPP” Maritsa – East 2 “and Toplofikacia Sofia. They cost BGN 100 million a year. And they can be used for many other purposes. Energy policy or lack thereof is brought things to this state and this is reflected in the energy strategy presented in this way, where there is a real lack of any kind of measures regarding the most serious problems such as coal mining and its prospects, “said the Minister of Energy.
As a priority, Zhivkov outlined the recovery of financial discipline and “unlocking European funds”.
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